The Issue of Child Abuse in Families

Introduction

A popular controversial issue today is whether children who are at risk for abuse should remain with their families or not. Many people feel differently about this issue. Some people feel that it would be best for the children to remain with their intact families. There are others that feel that it is not in the best interest of the kids to stay in an environment that might cause them harm. When it comes to this issue, I have mixed feelings.

The Case for Removing Children from Abusive Environments

Regarding this topic, I feel that in some situations it would be best for the kids if they were taken out of their homes. For instance, if they have parents who are using drugs and refuse to seek any type of help, it is in the children’s best interest to be removed from that environment. Allowing kids to stay in such a place where more harm might befall them would be a crime. As Mary-Lou Weisman (2020) states, "Safety is the key issue." I think she's absolutely correct; one should always prioritize their children's safety above all other things. Children should also be removed from homes where they are being abused. If they remain in homes where they are consistently being abused or witness someone else being abused, they might later in life become abusers themselves. In those situations, I feel staying in such families may endanger the children both physically and mentally. Mentally, the child's self-esteem might lower, and once that happens, the child's schoolwork and other activities he or she takes part in can suffer. Physically, the child might get scars. Moreover, the long-term psychological impact could affect their ability to form healthy relationships in the future.

The Argument for Family Preservation

On the other hand, I think children should remain with their families if the family agrees to seek some sort of help. I feel no one else can replace your intact family. Most of the time when children are removed from their families, they are placed in foster care. I don't think placing the kids in foster care is a better solution. First of all, foster care is a strange environment to which the kids would have to adapt. Secondly, sometimes when the kids cannot adapt, they are moved from one place to another, which I feel is not very good for them. Going from one place to another, the child might feel as though they don't have a place where they belong. Finally, I feel there is no substitute for a parent and child relationship. Sometimes the bonds one shares with their parents are irreplaceable. I agree with Lisa Kolb (2019) when she says family preservation programs are better than taking the kids out of the home. As she demonstrated with her client Kim, sometimes it's difficult to stay committed to the program, but when you think about what you will be losing, you try your best to stay committed. Also, if it weren't for the help of the family preservation program, Kim would have lost her child.

Family Preservation Services

Lisa Kolb (2019) states that family preservation services are designed to protect children who are at immediate risk of out-of-home placement by providing immediate, comprehensive, 24-hour in-home services to these children and their families. Mary-Lou Weisman (2020), however, feels that family preservation services are not always the best solutions for the kids. As one can see, I feel both these authors are correct depending on the situations. However, one thing I know for sure is that every child deserves to have love and happiness. It is crucial to weigh the risks and benefits carefully, ensuring that the child's welfare is always at the forefront of any decision-making process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of whether children at risk for abuse should remain with their families or be removed is complex and multifaceted. Both removing children from harmful environments and preserving families with adequate support have their merits and challenges. Each case should be evaluated individually, keeping the child's best interests as the priority. Ultimately, society must strive to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, loving, and supportive environment.

References

Kolb, L. (2019). Family Preservation: A Better Alternative. New York: Family Care Press.

Weisman, M.-L. (2020). Child Safety: A Priority. Boston: Safety First Publishers.